RE: ICWA’s Open Letter In Response to State Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s April 17, 2025 Statements on Autism
Dear Superintendent Reykdal,
Your indignant reaction to HHS Secretary Kennedy’s press conference announcing his intent to find the cause of autism completely misses the mark and demonstrates the success of the massive cover-up of the autism epidemic. Such is the power of decades of government and industry-funded social engineering that has successfully prevented open and honest research into its potential causes. The CDC admitted, even before Secretary Kennedy was confirmed, that only a few vaccines and a few vaccine ingredients were researched as possible causes,[1] when our youngest children are being injected with many different shots in varying combinations,[2] the numbers of which have steadily increased starting in 1986[3]
“Autism” is an umbrella term encompassing a range of symptoms. As of 2016, the CDC found that 26.7% of autistic diagnoses in 8-year-olds were considered profound, or so severe that the children were nonverbal, minimally verbal, or had an intelligence quotient less than 50.[4] This means more than a million families are impacted, with a measurable burden on society. Even an individual mildly impacted by an injury classified under the autism spectrum has had at least part of their future stolen. “Neurodiversity” is a marketing term developed to conceal the increased incidence of brain injury. Human personalities vary widely; we do celebrate our diversity. But brain injury that leads to behavioral, sensory, processing, and learning disorders should not be celebrated.
There is no such thing as a genetic epidemic–no such thing as an epidemic of diagnoses or awareness. At most, the scientific literature indicates that genetics might be loading the gun, but it’s the environment pulling the trigger. In a world persistently exposing us to a multitude of toxins – some at very low concentrations – we are in a situation where everyone could be genetically susceptible.
Your statement “disability is not an epidemic or disease” insults, demeans and dismisses individuals whose disabilities stem from injury, illness, or degenerative conditions. We should advocate for people of all abilities. Isn’t it reasonable to expect public support for the ethical imperative of pursuing causes, prevention, and potential cures for disability? Every year, the Washington State legislature is asked to fund increased support services for a growing number of individuals with environmental injuries classified as autism. Even if the moral implications aren’t clear to everyone, we can surely agree that continuing to ignore the root cause of these injuries creates an unsustainable financial burden.
As a state and a nation, we should be alarmed and concerned for our security when only 40% of our young adults are fit for military duty.[5]
Regardless of the diagnosis criteria, regardless of classifying autism broadly as a disability, what is undeniable is that there is a problem. There is no acceptable level of human-caused autism. Secretary Kennedy wants to examine all possible causes, which has not been done with openness and honesty in the past. Providing hope to families impacted now and in the future is a vital and constructive endeavor.
Framing the Secretary of Health’s efforts through a political lens does nothing to support positive solutions. We ask that you publicly support research that might uncover the cause or causes leading to autism, whether profound or mild.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors of Informed Choice Washington
Bob Runnells, Lisa Templeton, Yael Kantor
References and Exhibits
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/about/autism.html
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/child-adolescent-age.html
[5] https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity/php/military-readiness/unfit-to-serve.html
Exhibit 1 – Testimony from Parent of severely autistic son
From musician Stephen Hilton
As the father of a beautiful autistic son, I’ve spent the last several years navigating what it really means to raise a neurodivergent child in a world that often isn’t built for him. Or me for that matter. So when I saw RFK Jr.’s comments about autism, I didn’t feel offended — I felt seen.
I think a lot of people are misinterpreting what he was trying to say. He wasn’t saying autistic people are worthless or incapable of love. He was highlighting the very real crisis families like ours face when their children are nonverbal, self-injurious, and severely limited in their ability to function independently. That’s not ableism — that’s honesty. I think RFK is calling attention to something that needs more attention: the rise in profound autism, and how little support exists for those of us living it every day. That’s not harmful — that’s helpful.
I love my son more than anything in the world. And no, I wouldn’t change who he is—but if I could help him become more verbal tomorrow, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Not because he needs to be “normal,” but because communication is freedom. Because less frustration for him means a better life for him. I don’t think RFK is attacking autistic people — I think he’s asking the hard questions. And as a parent who’s living this 24/7, I welcome that conversation.
